International Day for Biological Diversity - 29 December

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) entered into force on 29 December 1993. To commemorate this event, UN General Assembly proclaimed 29 December as the International Day for Biological Diversity.

India is a Party to the CBD, whose three main objectives are:

• conservation of biological diversity,

• sustainable use of the components of biodiversity;

• fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilisation of genetic resources.

This year, the Ministry of Environment and Forests is organising a function on 29.12.99 in the FICCI Auditorium to celebrate this event. The main events of the function include:

• Exhibition in NMNH on India's rich biological diversity.

• Presentation of the first Janaki Ammal National Award for Taxonomy.

• Release of the 'National Policy and Macrolevel Action Strategy on Biodiversity'.

• Release of some publications of BSI and ZSI.

• Prize distribution for the winners of the Painting competition and Quiz competition for children to be held in NMNH on 24.12.99.

For further details, may contact Shri R.H. Khwaja, Joint Secretary, Tel. No. 4362551.